Michigan Avenue getting quieter?

June 04, 2009|By Chicago Tribune

The Chicago City Council on Wednesday approved an ordinance aimed at "bucket boys" and other street musicians who have become a summertime staple on Michigan Avenue, but onealderman questioned whether it would lead to any real crackdown.

The changes to the city's noise ordinance was introduced by downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd), who said he's received complaints from people who work in office buildings along the Magnificent Mile that they can't get their jobs done at times because of the racket on the street below.

The ordinance allows the city to revoke a street performer's permit if they get two violations for excessive volume in the span of a year, rather than the current three.

In cases of extreme volume, the performer's permit could be revoked at the first violation.